Switch Maritime, a US company, is preparing to order the first hydrogen-powered ropax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) vessel in the United States. The company, known for launching a pioneering passenger ferry in San Francisco in July, is collaborating with Norwegian engineering firm LH2 Shipping and designer LMG Marin for this venture. The ropax, set to accommodate 80 cars and 300 passengers, will run on liquefied hydrogen (LH2) and will be based on a design already approved for use in Norway. Switch Maritime aims to pioneer zero-carbon LH2 fuelling for heavier workboats, following stringent planning and engineering processes. The design has received approval from classification society DNV, although further work with the US Coast Guard is required for compliance. The company is looking to source the vessel from a US yard to enable ferry services in the country. Switch Maritime's current fleet includes the hydrogen-fuelled Sea Change ferry, operating in the San Francisco Bay Ferry system. The company is also developing a 150-passenger hydrogen-powered catamaran for the same system. Switch Maritime prefers hydrogen as a fuel source due to its high energy density, which allows for greater range and power requirements compared to battery-only solutions. Additionally, hydrogen eliminates the need for fixed shoreside charging infrastructure, enabling fuelling through established truck-to-ship or ship-to-ship practices. The company's focus on sustainability and innovation in the maritime sector positions it at the forefront of the US maritime energy transition.